Lakota West’s Amber Gray came across as intelligent, grounded, and well spoken in her most recent interview Tuesday night.

 
Those that saw the interview would probably view Amber as the typical all-american kid. Those that know her would describe her as anything but average and following Tuesday’s 2008 McDonald’s selection special televised on ESPN U, she actually is an All-American.

 
Gray was the only female player interviewed during the 30 minute selection show. She was very humble and stated that she was shocked and honored to be selected. Gray told Mark Adams of ESPN that her father, former NFL player Carlton Gray, has been a big part of her success.

 
“He’s a huge influence,” she said. “A lot of people don’t know that he is an assistant coach for my high school team and I have the ability to train with him everyday. He just teaches me, it’s not all about sports, it’s how people see you as a person.”

Gray is just the third Cincinnati girl’s basketball player ever to be named to the McDonald’s All-American Team. She is one of 20 girls selected to play in the most prestigious all-star game in the country on March 26th at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

 
“It’s a huge honor to be selected,” Gray said. “Honestly, it has not hit me yet being that I am still in my high school season. I can’t wait to get up there to play. It should be a lot of fun and a great experience.”

Gray is the most celebrated basketball player in Lakota history. She is currently averaging 19 points and over 8 rebounds per game and has scored 1,845 points in her illustrious career. Last week, Gray was selected to play in the WBCA High School All-American Game presented by Nike held in Tampa, Florida on April 5th.

According to West coach Andy Fishman, Gray just continues to get better.

 

“Amber has always been at the top of her class physically and athletically,” he said. “Being an All-American is a direct result not of her talent, but her work ethic and commitment to continuous improvement. Each year she has added to her game by countless hours in the gym.”

Gray, a 6’1” inside-outside threat, has signed to play for the defending national champion Tennessee Volunteers next year. Her Firebirds are in the midst of a state playoff run, so she isn’t ready to start thinking about post-season accolades and playing at the next level just yet as Lakota West has hopes to end this season with a Division I state title.

 

- contributed by Todd Hummer